Is it safe to use a car with an airbag during pregnancy?

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Yes. In fact, an air bag will help to keep you safe if you’re involved in an accident. Air bags inflate automatically during a collision to create a protective cushion between the driver or passenger, and the steering wheel, dashboard and windscreen.

Air bags may be installed only in the front seats, but some cars have air bags for the back seats, too. In some cars the air bags can be manually switched off or deactivated.

Air bags are a really useful way of keeping us safe while we're on the road. Still, you may be worried that if you have to use an air bag while you're pregnant, it may harm your baby. You have nothing to worry about. Air bags are designed to work with a seat belt and you should be safe as long as you are wearing a seat belt properly. Read our article on wearing a seat belt during pregnancy.

However, there is a possibility that air bags could cause injuries to your eyes, face, arms, and chest. During a crash your body is held in place by the seat belt, but your arms and face may be jerked forward into the inflating air bag. However, not using an air bag is likely to cause far worse injuries during a crash, so make sure the air bags in your car are activated.

By the way, if you're in a car accident, even if it's minor and you feel fine, see your doctor as soon as possible. She'll be able to check that you and your baby are unharmed.

It's a good idea for anyone driving a car (not just pregnant women) to move their seat as far back as possible and tilt it slightly backwards. This creates the biggest distance between your chest and the steering wheel. Avoid leaning or reaching forward, and sit back in the seat with as little slack in the seat belt as possible. This will reduce your forward movement in a crash and allow the air bag to inflate correctly.

If you're a passenger, to reduce your risks of injury even further, you could sit in the back seat, which is the safest place to travel in any car.

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